Beyond the Pack’s Law: My stepsister or nobody else

Hayley’s POV He began, “Jasmine Jada’s head will have it in opposition to an assassination attempt. Some of the biggest concentrations around the city are being targeted. If we don’t stop them, everything is going to fall into chaos.” My heart sank at his words. The stakes were greater than I knew. “What can we do?” “So… what the hell was that?” I asked, my voice barely audible. Aiden met my eyes with a determined look. Evidence: we need evidence showing their plans. Then we can take it to the authorities, bust them, and stop this attack. Kieran nodded. “WHERE DO YOU THINK THAT THIS EVIDENCE CAN BE FOUND?” Aiden hesitated, then nodded. “I have a lead. Just outside the city limits is a warehouse. It is the place of assembly and provision. If we can infiltrate and get a look at their plans, we could stop them! We were making a dangerous play, but it provided us with the best chance to win. So we spent the next couple hours getting ready, packing supplies, and planning. As evening was falling, we began the trip under our burden. The car ride to the warehouse was long and silent. Occasionally, a rustled leaf or twig crack would send my heart racing. But we continued, because time is of the essence. In the distance, one could see the warehouse as an intimidating figure at midnight. The shape was barely discernible against the night sky, but there were lights on inside. We hid behind some brush, breathing as softly and evenly as possible while we scoped our prey. Our oldest, Kieran, waved for quiet. He gestured to a side door, partly concealed by some crates of wood. And we found: ” He whispered so lowly that I could hardly hear him. Keep close and prepare for anything. Faint and a little lethargic, but sure, Aiden nodded. I know where the files are stored. It resides in the room at the end of a locked area. We need to move quickly.” Each step was a slow and whispery calculation. The air darkened in anticipation of a storm, and the tension thickened. My heart thudded in my chest, and every beat was another high-stakes warning. What we did next would be the difference between life and death, not only for Aiden but also for us. Kieran pushed towards the door, an expert in both his hands scrambling at the lock. A soft click announced our entrance, and we shivered through the shadows of the warehouse. Dust and old wood filled my nostrils, mixed with the barest hint of oil and metal. The columns of shelves and racks made the warehouse a maze, each one spelling potential disaster. And Kieran took charge, a powerful and efficient figure in motion. Aiden and I were only a few feet behind, our dads barely keeping to their paces, with Alessa trailing in the end. In the silence, I heard every sound magnified a hundred times-board creaking, clothing rustling, even our breaths. Further back into the warehouse, we walked deeper into the glowing fluorescence, which threw strange shadows on the walls. Voices were coming closer now, muffled but in unmistakably human tones. Kieran signaled us to stop with his hand up. He popped his head around the corner and retreated, looking grim at us.

“Two guards,” he whispered. “Armed. We need to do this with stealth. Dad nodded, his jaw set in resolve. And he and Kieran moved on, through the doorway, out of sight. On the corridor, we heard a short struggle, and then everything was silent. Together with Callum, Kieran popped back up in our faces to sound the announcement, all-clear. We dashed past the sleeping guards; their bodies leaned against the wall. Adrenaline was pumping hard through-the tingling in my limbs synced with the dangers of my surroundings. We were close now-so close. Aiden took us to a thick, wooden door towards the back of this same warehouse. This is Lowly, speaking to no one but almost in a whisper. “The files are inside.” The room was small, smelling like filing cabinets and fixtures-just a couple of file drawers running along the back wall next to an irregularly shaped square desk. Aiden descended upon one of the cabinets, opened a drawer, and by chance found what they sought. He walked out with the folder, holding it firm. “This has everything.” We sat on the desk, and Aiden laid out the papers. Maps, blueprints, and target directories. He had everything, down to how Jada would do it. My voice was high, pleading, “We have to take this to the authorities.” Then I got my picture of evidence that we will need to keep them away from the SATs. There was a deafening thud across the warehouse. Our heads shot up, eyes wide with fear. There was a heavy and rapid footstep in the direction from which we had come. Move!” Kieran hissed, taking the papers and saying they were in a bag. “We’ve been discovered!” We fled into the night, pursued by what sounded like thunder. At this point, adrenaline was flooding my veins as I bolted down the dark streets, anticipating being pulled into a police car at any time. The exit beckoned us to run all through the aisles. We approached the side door, and before we made it four feet, that same figure swung open the stepside, blocking us from exiting. The silhouette of the person backlit in harsh light from outside left no question about who was visiting-the cold, dead eyes under a mop of blonde curls could only belong to Jada herself. “Going somewhere?” The words dripped with malice as she answered, sneering. We slid to a stop, caught between the approaching guards and Jada. But my mind was spinning, trying to find a path of escape, but each option closed immediately as the door used it for shutting. Jada stepped up and demanded, Hand over the papers.” Or you will not see another day again. Kieran clutched onto his bag, anger flaring in his eyes. “Run!” He yelled, placing the bag in my hands and guiding me toward the only other outlet-an open window at the back of this warehouse. I had no time to ponder; I snatched the bag and ran all hell broke loose behind me. Sounds of bodies hitting bodies, voices fighting… but I did not dare to stop.